Origami Man (Gibson Vaughn) by Matthew FitzSimmons

Author:Matthew FitzSimmons [FitzSimmons, Matthew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781542091992
Published: 2020-02-17T16:00:00+00:00

When they arrived at the airfield, Hendricks parked the minivan in its original spot. A little the worse for wear, but it had taken good care of them. Hendricks patted the dashboard affectionately.

One hell of a day, but at least it had finally stopped raining. Hendricks took advantage of the break in the weather to walk to the chain-link fence and smoke.

When he returned, he pulled Gibson aside. “I’m going back for Jenn.”

Gibson had been expecting it, but he had concerns. “In that?” He gestured at the minivan. “Shape it’s in, you’re pushing your luck. Only reason we didn’t get pulled over is because it’s too dark to see bullet holes.”

“I called George. He’s arranging another car.”

“Saint George provides.”

“Better than Oprah,” Hendricks deadpanned.

“We’ll wait here for you.”

“No, you go on ahead. I’ll pick up Jenn and meet you in Marseille.”

“Hendricks, Marseille’s in France. This car George is arranging, it come with fins?”

“No one likes a smart-ass,” Hendricks said. “So what’s the story with Marseille?”

Gibson told him how Jenn had really come by her information.

“I don’t like it,” Hendricks said.

“You disagree?”

“No, I just don’t like it. Listen. You keep your eyes open, hear me? Don’t be sleeping on this motherfucker. We got a scorpion on our back. Remember that. Don’t make no difference how high the water gets, only a matter of time before he figures it out and gets to stinging.”

“One hell of a trip, huh?” Gibson said, meaning the day now behind them, but realizing even as he said it that he meant something much more. How long could they expect to live like this? Over the past few years, they’d shown a callous disregard for the odds. Sooner or later, the odds would show a callous disregard for them too. That was just life. Especially if they kept taking foolish risks like the ones they’d taken today. Nothing like a rain-swept runway in Ireland to bring on a bout of aimless philosophy.

“Easy there, chief,” Hendricks said. “Race ain’t run yet.”

“When is it ever?” Gibson said, and looked to the waiting aircraft. “Want to trade?”

“Nah, you’re a terrible driver,” Hendricks said and embraced him with one arm. To Gibson’s knowledge, it was the first time Hendricks had ever touched him on purpose. Ireland was full of surprises.

“See you in Marseille.”

“Tomorrow, day after, at the outside,” Hendricks said. “Oh, there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”

From the look on Hendricks’s face, Gibson knew there was no way this was going to end well for him. “What?”

“The girl led you into that ambush behind McElroy’s, didn’t she?”

Gibson hesitated.

“Come on. Tell your old pal Hendricks. It’ll keep me warm on the long drive back to Belfast.”

“Played me like a fiddle.”

Hendricks showed him his teeth, every last one of them. Gibson thought he might sprain something if he kept grinning that way.

“See? Doesn’t it feel good to admit the truth?” Hendricks asked.

“That I got suckered by a teenager? Feels great.”

“Well, keep her out of harm’s way anyway. She’s just a kid, and it’s not her fault that you’ve got no sense.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.